DIVER Matthew Harvey was exposed as a liar yesterday. The man who sparked an air and sea search at the weekend had not gone missing at sea. He had travelled to the UK by ferry.

The Guernsey Press was told yesterday that Mr Harvey might have been captured on CCTV in Bournemouth over the weekend.

But soon after police revealed the latest twist in this extraordinary tale, his family vowed to stick by him and his wife, Katie.

His father-in-law, Vic Dorey, said that the families believed he might have suffered some sort of breakdown.

‘I don’t know what I can say. I’m shell-shocked, but we don’t know the full facts yet,’ said Mr Dorey.

‘Whatever it is, there is obviously some sickness problem somewhere. It would appear to be a breakdown – what else? The mind is a funny thing, breakdowns happen.’

He said that the families and friends who have helped during this traumatic time would be standing by the couple.

‘It’s going to be very tough. With time we will try and see it through and help as much as we can,’ said Mr Dorey, who said that he was still in shock yesterday.

‘Both sides of the family are supporting them 100%. What alternative have we got?

‘You can’t start bringing shutters down because you become the judge and jury.’

Mr Dorey was at the couple’s home in St John’s Terrace, St John’s Road, St Peter Port, on Wednesday morning when national media were pursuing the couple.

Yesterday he was unsure where the couple were staying and was at his own home comforting his family.

Neighbours at St John’s Terrace were unaware of the unfolding drama yesterday afternoon.

‘He’s a pretty easy-going guy – he’s a nice bloke. He was here yesterday lunchtime and him and Katie went off in the car,’ said one woman, who did not wish to be named.

‘I thought he was lucky. You hear of fishermen getting lost at sea. Why has he concocted a story?’ she said.

Neither of the Harveys were at home at 4pm yesterday.

But both were spotted leaving the police station in a silver 4×4 Isuzu Trooper vehicle about half an hour earlier.

Numerous letters addressed to both were lying unopened in the communal area outside their flat door. The one next door appeared vacant.

‘They keep themselves to themselves. I think they want to be left alone,’ said another neighbour.